The March of War

Going to war was a serious matter. It wasn't some dinner party.

If you wanted to earn merit, strength came first. But aside from strength, you also needed reliable companions. Where did reliable companions come from? Naturally, you forged them in battle.

On the battlefield, they were tempered by trials of blood and fire.

He knew Fukuyama, Hideki, and Haku well, and they were used to working together. A different group wouldn't be nearly as easy to work with. What's more, these three were also the first step in his bid to reach for power within the Uchiha Clan.

"Big Brother Hideki, have things really gotten this tense?!"

"Yes. My second brother has already received orders and started making preparations. Haku has also gotten the news."

Hideki's second brother was a Chunin with decent skills. He was already twenty and could be considered a core Uchiha Clan shinobi. Haku's father was a Uchiha Clan Jonin, entitled to attend the Jonin Conference, so he naturally had far better access to information than ordinary people.

"Father said the Third Kazekage has gone missing. Sunagakure accused Konoha of killing him and has already declared war!"

"Their own village leader goes missing, and when they can't find him, they blame Konoha?!" Though Suifeng already knew the truth behind the Kazekage and even the Third Great Ninja War, he still looked shocked and disdainful upon hearing the news. "Sunagakure is really going backward. They can even lose their own leader, then blame Konoha for it. What a joke!"

"They are ridiculous, but war is no joke!" Hideki said with a frown. "This war will probably last a long time. Suifeng, we need to get ready."

"Mm, all right!" After all, he was still a child. He couldn't act as if he understood and knew everything; that would only make people suspicious. "Then let's go find Teacher Fukuyama and see what he thinks. Also, Hideki, Haku, have you learned that jutsu I taught you?"

"Uh...!"

At the mention of the jutsu Suifeng had taught them, Hideki blushed. "That technique demands too much chakra control. I still haven't figured it out, but Haku has already learned it!"

"Don't listen to him. I haven't completely mastered it, but I can already extend Circle more than two meters away!" Haku said, blushing.

That was also why Hideki and Haku wanted to be on a team with Suifeng. Forget his strength—when it came to developing techniques, calling him a genius wasn't enough. He was more like a monster.

Developing a Body Technique called Iron Body all by himself was already impressive enough. Now he had developed a brand-new sensory ninjutsu, Ninja Art: Circle.

The technique's sensory abilities were exceptional. On the battlefield, it could greatly improve their chances of survival.

Aside from those two techniques, Suifeng's Shave Body Flicker was just as astonishing.

Most importantly, Suifeng didn't keep his techniques to himself!

Although Iron Body had already been designated a secret technique by the clan, and they had been ordered to keep it confidential, Suifeng had still taught them both Body Techniques as their creator. He had also freely shared the principles behind Shave Body Flicker, along with his new scouting ninjutsu.

The only thing that frustrated them was that every technique Suifeng developed demanded an extremely high degree of control over both chakra and the body. In other words, these were high-level techniques. Just because he taught you how to train in them didn't mean you could learn them.

Of the three techniques Suifeng had developed so far, Hideki had only made some headway with Shave Body Flicker. Of course, reaching Suifeng's level wouldn't be easy, but using the technique had already nearly doubled his speed. The increase in speed had also raised his overall strength. Though his eyes had yet to awaken the Three-Tomoe, he already had the strength of a Special Jonin.

He was still training in Iron Body. Though he hadn't completely succeeded, he was starting to get a feel for it. The only technique he couldn't make heads or tails of was Ninja Art: Circle, which Suifeng had developed not long ago.

It was a scouting ninjutsu. Suifeng had said he created it specifically to counter Kirigakure's Silent Killing Technique.

After gathering chakra, the user expanded it outward with himself at the center, allowing him to sense intruders within the area covered by his chakra. It sounded simple, but the technique demanded an extremely high degree of chakra control. Hideki couldn't figure it out at all. Haku, on the other hand, seemed perfectly suited to it and had picked it up quickly. Her chakra was limited, so she could only extend Circle two meters from herself, but that was already remarkable. On the battlefield, it was practically the perfect technique for preventing sneak attacks.

Having benefited so much and seen Suifeng's terrifying talent up close, they were now completely convinced of his abilities. They no longer had the Uchiha Clan's ridiculous pride.

Uchiha Clan training ground

Uchiha Fukuyama was a little surprised to see the three of them arrive together, but as soon as Hideki spoke, he understood. It seemed the news of the war could no longer be kept under wraps.

"You're worrying too much. We can't decide how the forces will be assigned!" Uchiha Fukuyama said. "We've always been a team, and we work well together, so under normal circumstances we wouldn't be split up. But our squad's situation is a little unusual."

"Unusual? What's unusual about it?"

"Suifeng is too strong. You can't keep up with him." Fukuyama thought for a moment, then decided to speak frankly. "I'm your captain for now, but once we're on the battlefield, I may be sent out with the other Jonin if the war demands it. If the war drags on, or I'm injured or killed, I won't be able to remain your captain. You'll be assigned a new Jonin to lead you. Also, squads like yours are usually assigned patrol and logistical support duties on the battlefield. You're still too young, after all. Haku, for instance, knows Medical Ninjutsu, so she might be assigned to a field hospital. As for Suifeng..." He looked at Suifeng. "Though he's only a Chunin, his combat strength is already at the Jonin level. That makes him a major asset on the battlefield. And with his abilities, I believe he'll soon be able to stand on his own. When that happens, you might even find yourselves taking orders from him!"

Hideki and Haku immediately understood.

It all came down to strength. They couldn't keep up with Suifeng and weren't on the same level as him. Their roles on the battlefield would be entirely different, so how could they possibly be assigned together?

Still, Fukuyama's last words gave them hope.

"Yeah, I was worrying too much. Maybe in a while, Suifeng will be a powerful figure in his own right. When that happens, don't forget about us!" Hideki said with a smile.

"That's the situation. The war has already begun. Suifeng, the clan's decision is that you should stay by my side at first and get familiar with warfare. After that, we'll make adjustments based on how the war develops."

"Yes, Teacher Fukuyama!"